Demonic Possession or Mental Illness?

I grew up in church, so I remember odd stories like demonic possession of pigs. Yes, you read that right. Find it in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Jesus redirects demons from a man to swine.

It’s these stories that get taught rather strangely in some churches. Pastors suddenly perk up and start spouting about being wary of the wiles of the devil. But some go too far. These outliers equate it to mental illness, and that is simply not okay.

Modern day pastors are beginning to see that there’s a huge difference between demonic possession and mental illness. So be wary if ever a pastor tries to tell you different. That’s either ignorance or a power trip for sure.

If pastors were taught more about mental health and psychologists learned a thing or two about possession, we would all be in better shape.

So what do I mean?

Exorcism or external combinations?

Catholic priests are known for performing exorcisms, especially after certain movies made this popular. But unless you’ve been to one, it’s hard to know what really goes on during these exercises. Many recollect reciting scripture, sprinkling holy water, and experiencing other worldly strength and activity coming from the possessed person.

External combinations are simply different mixings of the key aspects of helping someone with mental illness: medication, therapy, self care, etc. You would not medicate and send to therapy a little girl who can throw a grown man ten feet across a room. Likewise, you would not recite scripture and sprinkle holy water on someone experiencing schizophrenia. It seems so simple, but with our professionals arguing over the very existence of these things, it quickly becomes convoluted.

As a Christian, I believe in scripture. I believe that demons can possess. As a person with bipolar disorder, I believe in mental illness. I believe that the brain can be chemically imbalanced and cause major issues. It doesn’t have to be either or.

If there are any other religious scientists out there or scientific religious people, please hear my plea. Learn both sides. For the sake of our planet’s health, learn both sides.

Practice exorcisms and refer out to psychiatrists. But know which one goes where to avoid injury.

This Sunday I pray for healing over those possessed and those who are ill. Neither sufferer experiences a simple cure. May God bless us and protect us all from evil.

And may we all become knowledgable of the differences between possession and mental illness.

Arishama